Explore Iceland- The Blue Lagoon and The Golden Circle

We only had time to explore the western portion of the island for the most part, so we missed out on Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, the abandoned airplane, and, much to my husband’s disappointment, the filming of Game of Thrones. However, we covered a lot of ground and some pretty cool stuff. So here it is:

Blue Lagoon

This is probably the most well known tourist attraction in Iceland, but what is it??! The Blue Lagoon is a man made lagoon nestled in a lava field near Grindavik. It originated when a nearby geothermal energy plant drained it’s excess water to this spot. Iceland is the most volcanically active country in the world and when the water runs through the geological layers it is heated and picks up precious minerals (silica and sulfur) that have been found to be beneficial for human skin. Some have even said the mineral packed bath cured their psoriasis.
The Blue Lagoon has very strict hygiene rules. Prior to entering you must shower in the locker rooms. The lagoon water is renewed every 2 days.
In addition to a nice warm soak there are “bars” situated throughout the lagoon where you can use skin masks and scrubs made from the materials found in the water. Products are also available for purchase in the gift shop. *I would not recommend going under the water completely as the minerals are not easy to remove from your hair!

We hit up The Blue Lagoon the day we got off the plane. If you are looking to enjoy a few hours of R&R, this is the place to be. Reservations are required prior to arrival. Options range from simple entrance and use of the lagoon, to full spa packages. There are 2 restaurants on site, Lava and Moss. There is also a hotel package if you choose to stay here. Blue Lagoon is an easy drive from Reykjavik if you have a rental car.

Visit www.bluelagoon.com for more information and reservations.

Silica from the bottom of the Blue Lagoon

“Bar” in the Blue Lagoon

View of the Lava Field from the Blue Lagoon

Strokkur Geyser

A geyser, as you may or may not know, is a spring that is in contact with hot volcanic rocks, and when it reaches a boiling point, it erupts into the air. Strokkur Geyser is one of Iceland’s most well known geysers; it is fairly consistent and erupts about every 6-10 minutes, shooting water approximately 15-20 meters in the air on average, but has been known to go as high as 40 meters!
Strokkur is about an hour and a half drive from Reykjavik and is accessible by rental car. If you are driving in winter, remember to start as soon as day breaks so you have plenty of time to get out, explore, and get back before it is too dark. Also, watch the weather forecasts as white out conditions are possible on the roads in Iceland.

Gullfoss Falls

The location where the Hvita River drops to the south is known as Gullfoss Falls. Gullsfoss is part of the “Golden Circle” and is fed by Iceland’s second largest glacier, Langjokull. The walls of the falls reach 70 meters in height. It is said that when the sun is shining in the summertime, a rainbow is cast over the falls. While this sounds enchanting, seeing the falls in all their frozen glory was pretty spectacular as well. Visit the viewing area which allows you to look down into the falls as they plummet 32 meters into the mile long canyon that is Gullfoss Falls. Gullfoss falls is about 2 hours from Reykjavik by rental car but along the same route you can visit Strokkur and Thingvellir National Park.

Thingvellir National Park

Iceland is located on the Mid-Atlantic Rift, or the ridge that separates the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. Thingvellir, Iceland is the only place in the world where this rift is above sea level! We were lucky enough to walk the path between the plates and saw lots of frozen beauty. In the summer time you can scuba dive in the crystal clear ravines. It is said that the visibility is 100 meters from the surface! There is a parking lot at Thingvellir National Park if you are driving. It is also part of the “Golden Circle” tour.

Icelandic Horses

The beauty of driving is having the freedom to stop and explore when the opportunity arises. During our drive back from the Golden Circle we stumbled across a small herd of Icelandic horses on the side of the road. There was a fence between them and the road and others were stopped taking in their beauty so we pulled over and did the same.

Enjoy the Golden Circle!

See the next article for information on our Tour of the South Coast!

Explore Iceland- The South Coast Tour

There are many things to see along the South Coast of Iceland. We booked a small group South Coast Tour with GeoIceland Tours. The tour guides were wonderful, very knowledgeable and never made us feel rushed.

Here are some tips/information to prepare for the South Coast Tour in Winter:
*The Tour picks you up at your hotel in the morning.
*This is an all day tour and you are encouraged to pack your own lunch, drinks, and snacks.
*BRING ICE CLEATS
*Bring a Camera
How to Dress: Waterproof/windproof jacket and pants are encouraged, as well as waterproof boots with warm socks. Pack hat, gloves, handwarmers, anything you would use to hike, play, or stand in the snow. Ski gear is acceptable.

Now that you are fully prepared for your adventure, here is what you will see!

Skogafoss Waterfall

Skogafoss is one of the country’s largest waterfalls with an impressive 60m, or 200ft drop. On sunny days, a rainbow often spreads across the waterfall due to a significant amount of water spray. There is a stair case that sprawls up the side of the mountain, leading to a platform that looks down into the waterfall. Along this route there are many foot paths that wrap around the side of the mountain. The paths are very narrow and there are no fences or ropes, it’s more of an “explore at your own risk” type of situation. Many tourists travel these footpaths to see the cave and get spectacular one-of-a-kind views of Skogafoss. On the day we went, the tour guide told us it wasn’t icy up there so we wouldn’t need our ice cleats, however once we got onto the footpath, J slipped on a patch of ice and almost fell off the side of the cliff. I am thankful that he is athletic enough to catch himself on some dead tree branches and climb back up. I am telling you this, because you need to know that the nature in Iceland is beautiful but can create dangerous terrain. This is why I keep stressing the use of Ice Cleats on all of the excursions, even if you think you don’t need them.
On a better note, for all those Marvel fans out there, this is the waterfall where ‘Thor: The Dark World’ was filmed!

Reynisfjara Black Beach

There are not many places like this on Earth. Reynisfjara is a black volcanic beach along the south coast of Iceland near Vik complete with caves, cliffs, crashing waves and most notably Reynisdranger- a set of basalt sea stacks rising high above the shoreline. Under your feet you will find a mixture of smooth black sand and millions of tiny lava rocks. The waves violently slam into the rock structures in the sea with a wildly inconsistent tide so be careful if approaching the water. Keep your eyes open for the various species of birds flying up high, including the Puffins who build their nests and call Reynisfjara home. This has been rated one of the top 10 non-tropical beaches in the world and is a must-see.

Reynisdranger Sea Stacks at Reynisfjara Beach

Sea Cave at Reynisfjara Beach
View from inside sea cave

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall

This is not just another waterfall in Iceland. What makes it unique is the ability to hike into the cave behind the falls and look out through the water. If you are visiting during the winter months, you will not be able to safely get to the cave without your ice cleats. Seljalandsfoss is truly gorgeous any time of year, but it was enchanting to walk the frozen ice to witness the beauty.

Solheimajokull Glacier

Solheimajokull Glacier spans nearly 8 km (almost 5 miles) in length and 1 mile wide and descends from Myrdalsjokull icecap. Like many glaciers, Solheimajokull is sensitive to climate change and is rapidly receding. Glaciers are magnificent pieces of nature and having the chance to walk on this beauty is fascinating. Again, be sure to wear your ice cleats for safety!

Enjoy Iceland’s South Coast!

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland, and its largest city. There are plenty of things to see in Reykjavik. Here are a few of our highlights:

Hallgrimskirkja Church

It’s hard to miss this beauty if you are anywhere in Reykjavik. With a spire that stands 244 feet in the air, Hallgrimskirkja is a functioning Lutheran church and Reykjavik’s most popular landmark. It took 41 years to build and is currently Iceland’s second tallest structure. Leifr Eiriksson (better known to Americans as ‘Leif Erikson’) stands tall in statue form in the front of the church, a gift to the people of Iceland from the United States of America to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the parliament of Iceland. Eiriksson is said to be the first European to step foot on the shore of North America.

The Sun Voyager

Back in 1986, the city of Reykjavik held a competition to decide who would construct an art piece to be displayed in the city to commemorate its upcoming 200th anniversary. On August 18, 1990, Jön Gunnar Arnason won and constructed the ‘Sun Voyager’, an ode to the sun intended to convey the promise of undiscovered territory and a dream of hope, progress, and freedom. You can find the Sun Voyager on SÆbraut in Reykjavik.

Baejarins Beztu Pylsur

After we arrived at Keflavik Airport we spent a few minutes in the rental car office while they retrieved our car. We struck up a conversation with the attendant and asked him what food we should eat during our stay. His exact response was this: “We aren’t really known for our food. Do you guys like Hot Dogs?” We looked at each other thinking this guy can’t be serious, surely they have something more to offer than hot dogs. But we took his advice and pulled up to this hot dog stand on what otherwise seemed to be a quiet corner away from the center of the city. To our surprise, there was already a line at 10AM! This guy wasn’t lying. J. loved the hot dogs so much he went back 3 more times during our trip!! What makes them special? It starts with white onions nestled in the bun, then blanketed with fried onions and some kind of special sauce. Once the bed is made, the lamb dog lays into the bun and gets covered with what seems to be a sweet mustard sauce. I won’t lie, the flavor combination was pretty explosive. So there you have it; the must have food in Iceland is a hot dog from Baejarins.

Tjörnin

Tjornin is a large pond in city center, located near Reykjavik’s City Hall. It is a popular activity to feed the 40-50 different species of birds that call this pond home. In the winter, it may freeze and can be a prime spot for ice skating.

Other Activities

There are several other activities and sights in Reykjavik, depending on the time of year you visit. The Sculpture and Shore Walk takes you along the fjord Kollafjorour with Mount Esja as the backdrop. Many visitors start on the path near Harpa, the concert hall in downtown Reykjavik, and move east toward well known landmarks such as the Sun Voyager, the Partnership Sculpture, and the Hofdi House- the location where Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev met in 1986 to end the Cold War.

Most people know that Iceland is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. There are many tours that take you away from the city lights to capture the magic. We had a tour planned but it got cancelled 2 nights in a row due to cloudy weather and low visibility, which is a risk this time of year. I would recommend booking this tour for the first night you are there to allow days for rescheduling should the weather interfere with your plans.

J and I spent the last morning of our trip driving around to explore Reykjavik before heading back to the airport. We found cute neighborhoods and some breathtaking landscape. I will leave you with some of our “Coastal Reykjavik” photographs! We hope you get to visit soon, it is truly a beautiful country.

~Reykjavik~

Iceland Itinerary- 4 Days

It’s easy to make a checklist of things you want to see and do but it can be overwhelming to put them in the order that makes sense, especially if your trip is short. Below is the itinerary we used for our winter trip to Iceland. Hope this helps!

Friday: Arrive 6:45am
Rental Car pickup is approximately 3 minutes from Keflavik airport
**Stop to pick up bread and additional snacks to pack for lunches (local grocery within walking distance in Reykjavik)
Hotel:
Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Marina
Reykjavik
Phone:+3544444000
Blue Lagoon:
Paperwork states MUST be on time!
Bring Tickets
Scheduled: 15:00-16:00 (3pm)
Dinner Reserved at LAVA: 18:00 (6pm)

Saturday:
Drive to Strokkur, Gullfoss, and Thingvellir (about 1 hour 20 min-2hours away from Reykjavik)

Super Jeep Northern Lights Tour
Will be picked up at hotel 20:00 (8pm)
Will take 3-4 hours

***Check email for changes in GeoIceland Tour for Sunday!! Will email us night before. If not received by 17:00 (5pm), contact info@geoiceland.com

Sunday:
GeoIceland Tour: South Coast Tour
Will be picked up from hotel (look for White Sprinter Van from 8:30-9am).
Tour is from 9am-6pm
Must pack lunch
**If not picked up by 9:05 call +3548477218 �

Monday:
Explore around Reykjavik:
Shops, Hallgrimskirksja Church, Sun Voyager Monument and more.
6pm Flight Home

Chelsea Market, NYC

75 9th Avenue, New York, NY

FOOD LOVERS UNITE!! Housed at the original National Biscuit Company (or better known as NABISCO!) is a unique food hall and shopping center in the Chelsea Neighborhood of NYC. Consuming all of the city block between 9th and 10th Avenues and 15th and 16th Streets, you will find a variety of retail including artisnal salt, olive oils, chocolates, flowers, produce, clothing, jewelry, home goods, and more. The gourmet food is even more impressive with names like Sarabeth’s, Buddakan, The Lobster Place, Amy’s Bread, and more! Come hungry or take some home! Either way, it’s worth a stop here if you’re in the neighborhood. Check out our Chelsea Market Fun Facts below.

Fun Facts: The first Oreo cookie was invented and made in this very building back in 1912.

On the floors above the bussling retail space, producers are hard at work at The Food Network, MLB.COM, Oxygen Network, Music Publishing and more. Google and YouTube also take up residence at Chelsea Market. In fact, Google purchased Chelsea Market in early 2018 for 2.5 BILLION dollars, making it the second largest full single asset sale EVER in NYC!

Make Sure You Come Hungry!

Visit www.chelseamarket.com for more details!

Merry New York Christmas

With the holiday season upon us, it only seems right to make our December #GGA5dayGetaway destination Christmas in the Big Apple. There is not much that beats Christmastime in the City! There is no end to the festive fun. Here are some of our Holiday Favorites:

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

What is Christmas without a tree to celebrate around? This is the most famous Christmas Tree in the world so we have to include it first on our list. On the plaza between 48th and 51st Streets in Midtown you will find a 75-foot Norway Spruce, otherwise known as the annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree, towering high above the ice skating rink in Rockefeller Center. In 2018, the perfect Rock Center Tree was found in Wallkill, NY and weighs in at 24,000 pounds!! The tree is complete with over 50,000 lights and a star that includes over 3 million Swarovski Crystals. The tree is lit the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving each year and stays lit from 5:30AM to 11:30PM nightly until January 7th. When the tree is done bringing holiday joy to its visitors, it is turned into lumber and gifted to Habitat for Humanity.

Holiday Windows

Perhaps one of the most spectacular holiday sights of all is the display windows of the Department Stores on 5th Avenue. Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman’s, Tiffany’s, Cartier, and others truly capture the magic of the Christmas Season. If you are visiting the tree, head toward Saks Fifth Avenue, and then continue north on 5th Avenue to see the most festive and elaborate window displays of the Season.

The windows at Bergdorf Goodman’s
In 2018, Bergdorf’s had candy themes windows
Cartier, 5th Avenue

The 2018 Macy’s Herald Square Windows tell the story of Sunny the Snowpal, a space-age snowgirl who helps to make sure Santa arrives safely on Christmas Eve.

Ice Skating in New York City

New York winters can be cold, which makes it an ideal place for ice skating rinks throughout the city. Of course everyone knows about The Rink at Rockefeller Center but the city has many other ice skating rinks including Winter Village in Bryant Park, Wollman Rink in Central Park, a small rink at the Standard (848 Washington Street), The Rink at Brookfield Place (230 Vesey Street at West Street – near Battery Park), or skate on the rooftop at Pier 17 in the Seaport District (89 South Street)! Whether it’s a romantic gesture on a first date or a night out with the kids, grab some skates and find your inner child!

Ice Skating at Winter Village in Bryant Park

Skate overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge at Winter Wonderland at Pier 17, South Street Seaport

The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall

It’s the Christmas Show of all Christmas Shows! Watching the Rockettes perform their synchronized numbers at the famous Radio City Music Hall will mesmerize any audience. Enjoy the lights, the music, the costumes, and the special effects and see why it’s called the Christmas Spectacular. Shows are 90 minutes long and run twice a day on weekdays and three times per day on weekends from the end of November to the beginning of January. Get your tickets early, as this show usually sells out!

Radio City Music Hall, Home of the Rockettes

Holiday Markets

Still Christmas shopping? You can check some items off your list at any of New York’s pop-up Holiday Markets. You can purchase one-of-a-kind gifts from hand crafted goods to scarves to jewelry to Christmas Ornaments to signs to Gourmet Foods and more. My favorite Holiday Market is Winter Village at Bryant Park, located between 40th and 42nd Streets, between 5th and 6th Avenues. Other great Holiday Markets include:
*Union Square Holiday Market
Located in Union Square East 14th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues
*Grand Central Station Holiday Market
Located at 89 East 42nd Street
*Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Located at 59th Street and Central Park West

New York Botanical Garden

As if the Botanical Garden wasn’t already beautiful and wonderous, all decked out in its Christmas best, they’ve put the icing on the gingerbread house with an elaborate model train system that winds its way through the flora. The NYBG locomotives steam through Paul Busse’s replicas of New York architecture including One World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium, New York Public Library, and much more. Structures are handcrafted from botanical materials found in nature, including acorns, tree bark, cinnamon sticks, walnuts, fungus, toadstools, and more. It is an incredible work of art and a holiday must see!
Purchase tickets in advance to reserve your timeslot (Entrance is granted every 15 minutes) and jump on the Metro North train out of Grand Central Terminal (Harlem Line) to the Botanical Garden stop. Be sure to bring your childlike sense of wonder!

Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and more.
Replica of One World Trade Center

Replica of New York Public Library
Botanical Garden
Replicas of the Bridges of New York
Replica of Yankee Stadium

The Train Show’s newest addition, a replica of Lower Manhattan complete with One World Trade Center, The Statue of Liberty, Staten Island Ferry, and Ellis Island.

Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show

The Saks Fifth Avenue “Theater of Dreams” light show has become a tradition, and one of New York’s most popular holiday attractions. Beginning at 4:30pm nightly Saks puts on a spectacular light show, perfectly synchronized with music, lasting about 5 minutes and repeating every 10 minutes. The setting is perfect, as the building’s façade stares down Rockefeller Center at that famous tree we talked about earlier.

Holiday Food and Drink

Good food is never far in New York, but in case you are looking for a little something extra during the Christmas Season, grab some grub or holiday drinks with friends at one of these festive restaurants.

Rolf’s German Restaurant: Located at 281 3rd Avenue in Gramercy Park (between 21st and 22nd Streets), may be the most elaborate holiday display of all. These decorations are so popular, they are left up until May! Enjoy some Bavarian brews and German fare as you take in the décor.

Lillie’s Victorian Establishment: Located at Union Square (13 East 17th Street). Not quite as elaborate as Rolf’s but still festive enough to put you in the Holiday Spirit!! Enjoy the holiday themed drinks!

Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, Union Square NYC

Seasonal Drinks: Snickerdoodle Martini and “Winter is Coming”

Max Brenner: You may know him better as “Chocolate by the Bald Man”. You can’t leave the city without this thick and creamy hot chocolate with homemade giant marshmallows! Warm your hands with a cup at the pop-up location in Bryant Park’s Winter Village or visit the storefront location at 841 Broadway.

Visit the Bryant Park Pop-up location and enjoy your hot chocolate while watching people ice skate or sit and enjoy the Christmas Tree!

Pete’s Tavern: Located at 129 East 18th Street is another festive pub that decks the halls during the holiday season. Lights are strung from wall to wall and tinsel and garland are hung from the bar. Grab a seat at the bar or in the dining room and take in the seasonal delights!

Christmas Trees and Decorations in the City

The “Big Tree” isn’t the only gig in town. There is no shortage of Christmas trees and decorations throughout Manhattan and beyond. Intricate and massive decorations pop up around every street corner it seems, including the life size Christmas lights and Christmas Ornaments outside of Radio City, the tree in Bryant Park’s Winter Village, The Plaza Hotel, and more. The pictures will say more than I can, and seeing these beauties in person is even more fascinating!

Christmas Ornaments at Radio City Music Hall
Holiday Dresses at the Garment District Holiday Market

Giant Christmas Lights on 6th Avenue, across from Radio City Music Hall

Life-size Gingerbread House in Madison Square Park

Take a walk down Gingerbread Boulevard and see the life-size gingerbread house in Madison Square Park. Sponsors Taste of Home and Folger’s will be around to let you peek inside the gingerbread house. Santa’s sleigh is parked outside for photo opportunities. In years past there was a 4D screening inside the house that took you through Candyland to meet the Gingerbread Man. Who knows what will come next year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

If you are visiting New York for Christmas but don’t know how you will cover all that ground, please email us at griffeysgreatadventures@gmail.com and we will help you with an itinerary! Happy Holidays!

Budweiser Clydesdales Celebrate the Repeal of Prohibition in Local Towns

Budweiser Clydesdales riding down Washington Street in Hoboken, NJ

On December 5, 1933 Prohibition was repealed in the United States of America after a long 3+ years of alcohol drought (well, except all that illegal booze!). This was the day the Budweiser Clydesdales made thier debut. They paraded down Pennsylvania Avenue with their red wagon to deliver the first case of post prohibition beer to Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the White House. Since then, they have gained popularity through the memorable Budweiser commercials, appearances at events, and of course at the St. Louis Cardinals baseball games.

To commemorate this day, the Clydesdales saunter down main streets all over America in December to recreate that first post prohibition gig and deliver beer in the signature wood Budweiser cases to local establishments. These beauties are a sight to see.

Fun Fact: Riding shotgun in the wagon next to the drivers is their mascot, the Budweiser Dalmatian. Why the Dalmatian? Years ago, they were known as coach dogs who ran between carriages or coaches and became companions for the horses.

So next December, look for Clydesdales near you! To see these beautiful creatures in person other times of the year, you can visit 1 of the 5 locations in the United States where they are kept and cared for:
*San Diego, CA
*Merrimack, NH
*San Antonio, TX
*St. Louis, MO
*Menifee, CA
You can also visit the Budweiser website for the “Hitch Schedule” at www.budweiser.com/en/clydesdales/hitch-schedule.html.

As beautiful as they are to see, I wanted to know if the horses are cared for properly. After some research, here is what I have found:

*Travel is limited to 500 miles or less per day.
*When traveling, the driver must stop every 2-3 hours to ensure the horses are drinking and eating the appropriate amount
*Drivers have cameras in the cabs to be sure that the horses are doing ok during travel
* Each Hitch has its own designated veterinarian
*The team exercises the horses at every stop
*More times than not they stop at local stables during travel so the horses can rest peacefully
*They are fed a diet ich in grass hay and given supplements for joint health. Some horses also receive chiropractic care as needed!
*All horses receive regular Farriery Care

Om Sweet Home Specialty Bakery

708 Anderson Avenue, Cliffside Park, NJ

Feeding your sweet tooth is a challenge when you have a gluten allergy. Luckily, if you live near the Bergen County, NJ waterfront, this bakery will come to the rescue! Om Sweet Home in Cliffside Park is Celiac safe and 100% vegan and gluten free. All products are also dairy free, soy free, wheat free, palm oil free, non-GMO, organic and made with non dairy butter alternative. It’s like the unicorn of bakeries! I’ve been to gluten free bakeries that fell short of satisfying but these delicious treats were nothing but delightful!

So, without further ado, here are our favorites from this yummy allergy free establishment:

Spiked Eggnog Donuts made with Sailor Jerry Rum:

Whoopie Pie made with Spiced Nut Cookie with Chocolate Beet Cream Filling:

YUM!!!

For more information, visit www.om-sweethome.com.

Enjoy this secret New Jersey Treasure!!

Woodstock, NY

We have all heard of Woodstock, and for most of us, what comes to mind is one of the most infamous wild and crazy music festivals of all time, one that attracted 400 thousand people in the summer of 1969 to upstate New York in the Catskills region. Nearly 5 decades later a small town by the same name keeps the spirit of 1969 alive!

As you walk down Tinker Street the smell of Patchouli oil and incense coupled with peace signs and psychedelic colors transports you back in time in the most charming way. The main drag is lined with eclectic shops and restaurants. Goods from Native American jewelry to hand blown glass to food ranging from delicious tacos to award winning cupcakes fill the real estate between the art galleries and studios. This is a great place to spend a day and relax. Peace, Love, and Music for all!

Our Woodstock Food Picks:

Tinker Taco Lab: There are 2 sides to Tinker Taco Lab: one side is counter service with tacos and beer, the other side is a bar type setup serving food, beer, and liquor. Situated on the creek off of Tinker Street, this taco lab has a laid back vibe. The tortillas are made of local NON-GMO corn and varieties of taco range from chicken to barbacoa to vegetarian. If you love tacos, stop by Tinker Taco Lab.

Peace Love and Cupcakes: Next door to Tinker Taco Lab is a small cupcake shop with big flavor. So big, that both the Old Fashioned Chocolate Cupcake and the Pretzel Hippie Chipper Sandwich cookie have won awards on the Food Network! Gluten Free cupcakes are also available (YAY!). My favorite: Gluten Free Peanut Butter Swirl Cupcake with Chocolate Icing. Make sure you save room for these delightful desserts!!

Army Heritage Trail- Carlisle, PA

Many of our family members live in Cumberland County Pennsylvania and we were looking for a fun family outdoor activity on “Black Friday” to avoid the stores. We chose the Army Heritage Trail since it is a flat, one mile trail that everyone in the family could easily tackle.

The Army Heritage Trail is located at the Carlisle Barracks, the second oldest active military base in the country. The trail consists of a one mile loop through 14 exhibits and artifacts highlighting every era of Army History. Many exhibits are interactive and allow you to step back in time as you walk through underground bunkers. mess halls, and watch towers. Larger artifacts like tanks and helicopters are also on display in this outdoor museum, providing an up close and personal view of the life of an Army soldier.

In addition to the outdoor Revolutionary War fort and the Civil War Cabins, there is also an indoor museum and education center which features exhibits through the eyes of service men and women, oral history recordings, a movie theater, and the opportunity to write a letter to a currently serving soldier. During the warmer months, outdoor reenactments are scheduled representing various eras of war. We had a great time strolling through history with the family, and learned a few things along the way too!

Helpful Information: The Army Heritage Trail is open from dawn until dusk. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash and picked up after. Walkers, Runners, and cyclists are all welcome.

For more information, visit www.ahec.armywarcollege.edu.